WALKERS and nature lovers are flocking to the Welsh uplands to take advantage of improved access rights.

The Countryside Commission for Wales says various publicity campaigns have successfully enticed people to visit areas opened up by the Countryside Rights of Way (CRoW) Act - and that reaction from farmers, landowners and foresters has been "generally positive".

A survey of 1,000 people by independent pollsters Beaufort Research suggested about 45% of the population had been for a countryside walk in the week before being questioned.

"This means a lot of people are getting exercise and health benefits from the countryside," said CCW's senior recreation and access officer Richard Ninnes.

"The figures suggest a lot of people are being motivated by the general encouragement to exercise, including CCW initiatives like Walking the Way to Health and Natural Buzz."

In Wales, where CRoW has been in place for eight months, around a quarter of the countryside has been opened up to walkers.

Landowners and farmers seem to be adopting a "wait-and-see" approach to the new access on their land, said Mr Ninnes.

Rights of access have in some cases been restricted. Most have involved tree felling with heavy machinery by the Forestry Commission. Another restriction is at Glanrhyd, Powys, for car rallying.

Elsewhere, access has not been restricted but carefully managed to channel walkers along approved routes, lessening the impact on conservation and farming.

A pilot scheme by Denbighshire's Countryside Service and the CCW has seen new path created on the 30km Clwydian Range.

There's a new route to the summit of Moel Gyw - away from stock gathering areas - new access into the hill fort at Moel Arthur to avoid disturbing archaeological interests and new routes linking to the Offa's Dyke National Trail at Moel y Parc.

A similar pilot was launched on Tarren Ridge by Southern Snowdonia Local Access Forum.

"As one of the least frequented areas of the National Park, it would be likely to experience the most change following the launching of the new access rights," said Mr Ninnes.

Following talks with farmers, many unconnected routes were linked and car parking spread across a wider area. Benches, fencing and gates were restored along the walk, described as "one of Meirionnydd's hidden treasures".

"The new system means that farmers, on the whole, know where to expect to find the public on their land," added Mr Ninnes..

"Overall we've had very few problems concerning restrictions and exclusions. A pragmatic approach from farmers and landowners has so far meant that many issues have been resolved without restricting access."